ITV Loose Women Halted For Heartbreaking 𝘋𝘌𝘈𝘛𝘏 Announcement

During the latest episode of Loose Women, ITV viewers were told the heartbreaking news that a beloved actress had d!ed.

This comes after the show suffered a huge blunder this week, leaving one presenter red-faced.

As Friday’s show began, Kaye commented: “We want to remember Dame Patricia Routledge, who has d!ed at the age of 96.

“We all loved her as the hilariously snobbish Hyacinth Bouquet, Hyacinth Bucket, in Keeping Up Appearances. So from all of us here at Loose, we are sending our best to her loved ones.

“She will be missed, she’s a true legend.” As Kaye finished her tribute, the live aud!ence burst into a round of applause.

 

The actress played the hilarious Hyacinth Bucket in the BBC sitcom for five series as it ran from 1990 until 1995.

Her agent told the PA news agency on Friday that Patricia d!ed ‘peacefully’ in her sleep and was surrounded by her loved ones.

A statement said: “We are deeply saddened to confirm the passing of Dame Patricia Routledge, who d!ed peacefully in her sleep this morning, surrounded by love.

“Even at 96 years old, Dame Patricia’s passion for her work and for connecting with live aud!ences never waned, just as new generations of aud!ences have continued to find her through her beloved television roles.

Patricia Routledge has d!ed at the age of 96 (Image: GETTY)

“She will be d3arly missed by those closest to her and by her devoted admirers around the world.”

Since the news of her 𝘋𝘌𝘈𝘛𝘏, tributes have been pouring in for the late star, who also appeared in the likes of Steptoe and Son and Coronation Street.

Jon Petrie, the BBC’s director of comedy, praised Patricia, calling her an actor of ‘remarkable range’

He said: “Her portrayal of Hyacinth Bucket in Keeping Up Appearances has to be one of the most iconic performances in British comedy,” he said.

Patricia Routledge was best known for her role in Keeping Up Appearances (Image: BBC)

“She took a character on the page and gave her such truth, precision and warmth that Hyacinth became part of the national conversation; instantly recognisable, endlessly quotable, and loved around the world.

“Whatever she did, she brought impeccable craft, and in doing so inspired generations of writers, performers and aud!ences.”

Loose Women is available to watch on ITVX.

A leading royal expert gives his analysis on the current royal drama as the Duke of Sussex claims leaks are sabotaging a royal reconciliation with his father, King Charles

Harry flew out last month and met the King in person for the first time since early 2024(Image: Netflix)

It didn’t take long for Prince Harry and King Charles’s face-to-face reunion to become mired in yet more drama amid talk of royal leaks and sabotage. The father and son shared a private tea last month, the first time they’d been together in more than 18 months, and it was widely regarded a first but huge step towards them getting their troubled relationship back on track.

But after details of the encounter were allegedly leaked by someone with inside knowledge, Harry’s team issued a statement suggesting it was the work of “sources intent on sabotaging” the reunion. The leak included the claim that Harry found the long-awaited reunion “distinctly formal”, and that he’d presented his dad with a framed photograph of himself, Meghan and Prince Archie, six, and Princess Lilibet, four, who the King hasn’t seen in person since summer 2022.

Team Sussex, however, said the claim about the formal tone was “categorically false”, and went on to suggest that underhand tactics were being employed to disrupt the path to royal reconciliation.

Details of the face-to-face meeting were allegedly leaked(Image: Getty Images)

“The quotes attributed to him are pure invention fed, one can only assume, by sources intent on sabotaging any reconciliation between father and son,” the statement said.

“Presumably, those same sources have also chosen to disclose that gifts were exchanged. While we would have preferred such details to remain private, for the sake of clarity we can confirm that a framed photograph was handed over, however, the image did not contain the duke and duchess.”

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A newspaper article which was then picked up around the world also quoted “a source close to the duke” saying the relationship between Harry and his father was “a matter for the two of them”, and “the men in grey suits should stay out of it”.

Royal expert Duncan Larcombe says the fallout from the visit has left Harry in turmoil and feeling increasingly isolated and suspicious.

“The strength of the statement from his team was a sign of just how frustrated Harry’s feeling and how he doesn’t know who he can trust,” he told OK! . “Harry has always struggled with the men in grey suits, and again that’s something borrowed from his mother.

“He is clearly wanting to try to increase his popularity back in the UK and build some bridges but is finding it much more difficult than he anticipated. He might be worrying that it’s a hopeless cause, and the efforts to reconcile with his dad are ruined. It’s difficult for Harry. How do you reconcile with your father when you worry there are other people involved that you can’t trust?”

The couple spoke about their time as working royals in their first Netflix documentary(Image: Netflix)

Unlike the meeting between their top aides earlier this summer – which partly took place on a balcony in full view of a waiting photographer – the King, 76, and Harry, 41, met for just under an hour behind the closely guarded doors of Clarence House.

It was the first time the pair had met in person since Harry flew over from the US to see the King shortly after he announced he was being treated for cancer in early 2024.

While the strongly worded statement from the Sussex camp distanced Harry and his team from the source of the alleged leak, the Sussexes have historically shared many details of private conversations and encounters with their royal relatives.

The disclosures in Spare , their Oprah Winfrey interview and in their first Netflix series reportedly made the palace hesitant about the latest father-and-son meeting, too. Prior to Harry’s visit to the King’s home on 10 September, royal biographer Tom Bower predicted it would be a “meeting full of peril”, because Harry was “no longer trusted” and had “only enemies in the palace”.

However, the Sussexes have also been very vocal about their own mistrust. After losing his High Court appeal against the decision to strip him and his family of state-funded security while in the UK, Harry didn’t hold back about who he blamed.

As well as saying he felt “let down” by the process, he described the legal defeat as a “good old-fashioned establishment stitch-up”.

Meghan and Harry have both spoken about their mistrust(Image: Getty Images)

In his and Meghan’s 2022 Netflix documentary, he also accused the palace of “institutional gaslighting” claiming they were “happy to lie” to protect his brother, Prince William, but were “never willing to tell the truth to protect” him and Meghan.

A trailer for the same series also included an accusation from former Suits actress Meghan that, “I wasn’t being thrown to the wolves, I was being fed to the wolves.”

According to Duncan, while Meghan would not intentionally fuel Harry’s negative feelings, her own experiences might contribute towards his suspicious state.

“Meghan has been very outspoken about her feelings on some palace staff and procedures, so there could well be an element of, ‘I told you so,’ from her, in terms of her believing there are people that can’t be trusted.

“But she’ll be supporting Harry completely because he’s her husband, and she will know better than anyone how much a reconciliation would mean to him. But she will also want to protect him.”

Corrie’s Sarah speechless as character returns to ITV soap – but fans spot huge error

Sarah was left blindsided by the return (Image: ITV)

Coronation Street fans were left blindsided as Bethany Platt returned to the ITV soap after months away – but spotted a huge error in her return plot. On Friday (October 3), Kit entered the police station interview room to find Bethany seated at the interrogation table after being arrested for carjacking.

A stressed Bethany explained she’d quit her journalism job in London to avoid being fired and ‘borrowed’ her employer’s car to make the drive back to Weatherfield. But she hadn’t asked permission, and the car was quickly reported stolen. Bethany looked to Kit to get her out of it, and she was soon able to reunite with her mum Sarah.

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But a plot hole left fans baffled, as one took to X to point out: “Halfway across England in a dodgy motor… All them cameras on the way and only #Corrie cops stop her!”

Someone else agreed: “IRL she’d have been snapped a million times on the smart motorway cameras lol.”

A third fan echoed: “She’s in a dodgy motor, and just happens to get stopped local to #Corrie.”

“Loving the fact that Bethany nicked a car and sped off from London to Weatherfield. What a comeback,” someone else posted.

Bethany was dragged into the police station (Image: ITV)

Others predicted Bethany will pick up where she left off in her romance with Daniel, with one tweeting: “Don’t worry Bethany Daisy has gone the coast is clear.”

Someone else said: “How long until Bethany is back with Daniel? Let me guess by the end of next week!”

“Just caught 5 minutes of #corrie Saw that they’re still flogging the awful Becky story and Bethany has returned to presumably start up the dreadful Daniel cycle again and turned off…” another fan moaned.

The Prince of Wales has shared what choices he is making in his everyday life, in addition to his royal duties, to help Prince George be prepared for the day he ascends the throne

Prince William has shared a rare insight on how he is preparing his eldest son, Prince George, to one day become King.

The Prince of Wales made the candid admission on Apple TV’s documentary series The Reluctant Traveller, in which he joined host Eugene Levy for a private tour of Windsor Castle and an inside look into his everyday life as the future King.

The pair wandered around the grounds of Windsor before settling in a pub for a pint and a chat, as the Canadian actor and comedian quizzed William about the future of the monarchy and how 12-year-old George will ascend the throne.

 

Prince William revealed how he is leading by example to prepare George to be King(Image: Ray Tang/Anadolu via Getty Images)

Before delving into the idea of his son being the King, Eugene asked William if he ever thought about the day he would ascend the throne, and how he feels about it.

Levy recalled his own memories of the monarch, saying: “We were maybe the first family in our block to have a television set, and I remember watching the coronation of your grandmother. You will one day be King of England. Do you think about that at all?”

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William candidly responded: “It’s not something I wake up in the morning and think about, because to me, being authentic and being myself, and being genuine is what drives me. And then you can attach whatever labels and kind of roles that come on top of that, but if I’m not true to myself, and I’m not true to what I stand for and believe in – then it doesn’t really matter who you are, it gets lost.

“I take my roles and my responsibilities seriously but, it’s important, like I said to you earlier you don’t feel they own you – you have to own them.”

Eugene then asked: “Would you have the same feeling about your son becoming King as well?”

“It’s an interesting question and it’s a big question, that one,” William said. “Because there’s lots of things to think about with that. But obviously, I want to create a world in which my son is proud of what we do, a world and a job that actually does impact people’s lives for the better.

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The Prince of Wales made the candid admission on Apple TV’s documentary series The Reluctant Traveller(Image: PA)

“That is caveated with, I hope we don’t go back to some of the practices in the past, that Harry and I had to grow up in – and I’ll do everything I can to make sure we don’t regress in that situation.”

With the future of the monarchy in mind, Eugene then quizzed if the monarchy will be “shifting in a slightly different direction” when William becomes King, to which he said: “I think it’s safe to say that change is on my agenda. Change for good. And I embrace that and I enjoy that change – I don’t fear it. That’s the bit that excites me, is the idea of being able to bring some change. Not overly radical change, but changes that I think that need to happen.”

UNBELIEVABLE Loose Women panel left gobsmacked by Lorraine Kelly’s cheeky 𝘚𝘌𝘟 CONFESSION about her husband

The 65-year-old, who has been married to Steven Smith since 1992, had her co-stars open-mouthed when a conversation about breast cancer awareness turned pretty outrageous.

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Lorraine Kelly left the Loose Women panel gobsmacked after sharing a cheeky 𝘚𝘌𝘟 confessionCredit: Shutterstock Editorial

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During a conversation about cheeking boobs, the mother, 65, revealed what really goes on with her husband in the bedroomCredit: Shutterstock Editorial

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The 65-year-old has been married to Steven Smith since 1992Credit: Rex Features
Speaking on the ITV show yesterday about her important Change + Check campaign, which encourages people to ‘check your boobs’ and find their ‘normal’, the TV presenter unexpectedly got candid about her 𝘚𝘌𝘟 life.

As she chatted to Kaye Adams, Coleen Nolan, Mariella Frostup and Jane Moore, Lorraine explained: “It’s about knowing our normal.”

To this, Kaye said: “So the campaign rolls on, the new stage is to try and get today to be recognised by the government as ‘National Check Your Boobs Day’.”

In response, Lorraine replied: “Which is great – don’t just check your boobs once a year, that’s daft.

“Once a month, every two weeks, it’s really up to you.

“It’s about your normal though. Some women have got lumpy boobies.”

She then added: “It’s whatever suits you. For me I do it once a month.”

Following this, she cheekily admitted: “But my husband checks my boobies quite regularly.”

In response, a shocked Coleen gasped and said to the live audience: “She’s just showing off!”

After being married for 53 years, Lorraine replied: “He knows them better than me, Coleen. He knows… everything.”

Lorraine Kelly signs major deal with Channel 4 for big budget travel show after her morning show hit by ITV cuts

Clearly stunned, Coleen then asked: “Oh is he good at that? I might pop round!”

Meanwhile, an intrigued Mariella questioned: “Is it part of foreplay or is it clinical?”

Setting the record straight on her 𝘚𝘌𝘟 life, Lorraine answered: “Sometimes it can be… He’s very selfless.”

My husband checks my boobies quite regularly

Lorraine Kelly

Equally as gobsmacked, a shocked Kaye chimed in: “I’ve never heard you speak like this before!”

Keen to highlight the importance of the conversation around checking for lumps, Lorraine told her: “Anything that gets the message across! Anything at all.”

Lorraine and her husband Steven have been together since the 1980s.

The pair tied the knot back in 1992 and share one daughter together, 31-year-old Rosie.

Lorraine’s cheeky confession comes after she posed topless in a bid to raise awareness about breast cancer.

In its seventh year of championing breast cancer awareness, Lorraine’s Change + Check campaign announced the launch of National Check Your Boobs Day, an annual event dedicated to raising awareness for the importance of proactive attitudes towards breast health.

I’ve never heard you speak like this before!

Kaye Adams

It will take place every year on October 1st and aims to be a permanent staple in the programme’s calendar, in a bid to serve as a crucial reminder for everyone to make self-checking a regular habit.

Posing for the launch, Kelly, 65, had snaps with two Chelsea buns on her chest as she aimed to seek an official endorsement from Prime Minister Keir Starmer to establish the day on the national calendar.

‘It has been incredibly emotional’

Lorraine said: “Launching Britain’s first ever National Check Your Boobs Day is a huge step forward and will hopefully be a crucial reminder for everyone to prioritise their breast health.

“This is something that truly matters to me, and I’m so grateful for all the support we receive from the public and our partners to get this vital message out there.

“I think the reason Change + Check has been such a successful campaign is because the message is so clear and simple, it’s easy to understand and it’s something we can all do for ourselves.

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Coleen was stunned by Lorraine’s claimsCredit: ITV

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Lorraine has been snapped holding large iced buns over her breasts while topless
“We will never know how many lives have been saved, but the fact there are over 100 women and of course one man (because breast cancer affects men too) walking around today because of the campaign, makes me so proud of my fantastic team.

“It has been incredibly emotional watching them all put their heart and soul into helping spread the word.”

Discussing her highlights of the campaign, the mother continued: “One of the stand out moments for me was our Change + Check choir being invited to close the Royal Variety Show last year, singing our number one fundraising single Love Is All Around with the wonderful Marti Pellow.

“If appearing at the Royal Variety Show wasn’t enough, a few months later we were asked by the King and Queen to perform at Buckingham Palace for a special reception for cancer charities.

“They were both so interested in the Change + Check campaign and Queen Camilla told us she had enjoyed watching us perform on the show. It was an unforgettable moment for all of us.”

ROCKER GONE Iconic Brit rocker Chris Dreja who founded The Yardbirds 𝘋𝘐𝘌𝘚 aged 79 after health battle

CHRIS Dreja, the co-founder of the influential 1960s band The Yardbirds, has 𝘋𝘐𝘌𝘚 at the age of 79.

His sister-in-law shared the tragic news online.

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Chris Dreja of The Yardbirds performs onstage at The Fillmore New York at Irving Plaza in 2009Credit: Getty

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Chris was part of the original line-up of the 1960s rockersCredit: Getty
The rocker was part of the band for its entire original life and was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, along with the group.

Muriel Levy said Chris had been battling health issues for a number of years.

She said: “This is with a deep sadness that I have to announce that my brother-in-law Chris Dreja, former member of legendary band The Yardbirds, rhythm guitarist and also bass player has passed away after years of health problems.

“I share the pain with my sister Kate who took care of him during all those years and his daughter Jackie. May he RIP.”

Dreja, along with Anthony Topham, Keith Relf, Jim McCarthy and Paul Samwell-Smith, founded The Yardbirds in 1963.

The line-up would go on to feature such guitar heroes as Eric Clapton, who replaced Topham, Jeff Beck, who took over from Clapton and Jimmy Page, who would form Led Zeppelin.

Tributes have already been pouring in.

Page wrote: “I heard today of the passing of musician Chris Dreja, who passionately played with the iconic Yardbirds, on rhythm guitar and then the bass.

“I hadn’t seen him in a while, and I wish I had. RIP Chris.”

One person wrote: “Oh this is horrible news. I am so very sorry. My schoolgirl fave band was the Yardbirds. RIP Chris.”

Becoming Led Zeppelin official trailer, Sony Pictures

Another posted: “My condolences to you and your family at this sad time, rest in peace.”

While a third added: “So sorry to hear the very sad news about your super talented brother.”

A fourth commented: “I am so sorry for your loss. The Yardbirds music was awesome, thanks.”

The band quickly became massively popular thanks to their second album For Your Love, which featured the huge hits like Heart Full of Soul and I’m a Man.

The follow-up, Over Under Sideways Down, also contained two big chart hits.

Both Over Under Sideways Down and Having a Rave Up gained spots in the Rolling Stone’s prestigious list of the 500 Greatest Albums of All Time.

They also secured the 89th position in Rolling Stone’s roundup of the 100 Greatest Artists of All Time.

The group was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1992.

Born Christopher Walenty Dreja in 1945, he was raised in Kingston, Surrey.

After Page went on to form Led Zeppelin, he invited Dreja to join as bassist – a role he declined.

Dreja was also a keen artist and photographer, with his photo of Led Zeppelin appearing on the back of their debut album.

Dreja and McCarty reformed The Yardbirds in 1992 and they continued to perform and record until 2013.

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The guitarist had been battling health issues for a number of years, his sister-in-law saysCredit: Getty

The Princess of Wales wore her signature high-heeled stilettos while on a visit to RAF Coningsby – and it seems the shoes didn’t stop her from pulling off an incredible move

The Princess of Wales’s on-duty uniform usually consists of a pair of killer high-heeled shoes. But it seems during her latest outing in a trip to visit military personnel at RAF Coningsby in Lincolnshire – she wasn’t going to let her stilettos get in the way, pulling off a tricky move while wearing them.

Kate visited the base yesterday for her first visit as its Royal Honorary Air Commodore, and was briefed about recent RAF operations, including supporting Nato in Poland. She was also shown around a fully armed Quick Reaction Alert (QRA) Typhoon, which is ready to react to any threat facing UK airspace within minutes of an alert.

Kate walks backwards down steep narrow stairs in huge heels

Wearing a grey checked suit over a darker grey top and Stuart Weitzman heels, the princess was given a tour of the aircraft by its pilot, Wing Commander Luke Wilkinson, climbing the steep stairs with him up to the cockpit.

After inspecting the plane, Kate then had to navigate climbing backwards down the narrow steps in her tricky footwear, which she pulled off effortlessly.

And the move didn’t go unnoticed by royal fans who took to X to say they were “in awe” of her not even hinting at stumbling. One fan wrote: “Literally in awe of this video of the Princess of Wales today walking down those stairs in heels.”

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While another added: “She owned those stairs like a runway.” And one even said: “I wear high heels all the time and no I wouldn’t have done that so seamlessly and graciously.”

Kate takes a look inside the aircraft

Elsewhere on her visit yesterday, Kate headed to the Typhoon Future Synthetic Training Facility, where instructor Geraint White invited her to step inside the futuristic simulator. “Would you like a go?” he asked, to which she replied: “Yes, I’d love to.”

Inside, she told him she had not used a simulator to fly a plane before, but had tried one used to train helicopter pilots.

But the princess seemed to take to her simulated flight with ease and appeared to enjoy her virtual climb from RAF Coningsby enough to perform the aerobatic stunt.

Kate smiles as she looks around the cockpit (Image: Getty Images)

Speaking afterwards, Group Captain Paul O’Grady said: “She seems to be a natural pilot so we might have to get her qualified and get her flying a Typhoon, if she’s up for it.”

The princess, who wore an RAF badge on her blazer, also chatted to two trainee pilots on secondment from RAF Valley, where Prince William was stationed between 2010 and 2013.

“How are you finding Valley?” she asked Jack Hanby and Dan McPhail. They told her they had met the prince when he returned to Anglesey last year.

Meanwhile, in “The Lounge” – a communal space for those living at the station – she met Wing Commander Nick Startup, members of RAF Coningsby’s Welfare Team, and personnel, including aviators from junior ranks, to hear about their roles and experiences on site.

She was presented with three toy Typhoons and key rings for her children, saying: “They will be very upset that I’ve seen a Typhoon without them!”

EXCLUSIVE: Coronation Street star reassures fans after concerns for Carla Connor

Fear not Coronation Street fans, Carla Connor’s sweet bond with stepdaughter Betsy Swain will continue amid recent drama.

There was some concern that with the arrival of Betsy’s mother Becky Swain, who returned from the dead just weeks ago, Carla’s happiness with the Swains could be trashed. Before Becky arrived, Carla and Lisa Swain, Becky’s ex-wife, got engaged with a little help from Lisa’s teen daughter Betsy.

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It’s been a rough year for Swarla, as they are known by loyal fans, from kidnapping ordeals, near-splits and other drama. But the pair overcame all of it and were ready to move forward with the blessing of Betsy, who had grown close to her stepmother Carla.

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But the arrival of Becky has caused plenty more chaos, with Carla not sure where she stands. Lisa has done her best to reassure her and they seem stronger than ever, while Betsy is keen to have both Carla and Becky in her life.

Speaking exclusively to The Mirror at the Inside Soap Awards, Betsy actress Sydney Martin has now responded to concerns by some fans about Carla, and her future with Lisa. Some viewers have worried about whether Becky will or will at least try to come between the couple.

Others have worried about Carla and Betsy’s growing bond, fearing the arrival of Becky might stop this from continuing. But Sydney is here to put those fears to rest with a reassuring comment.

She told us Betsy still very much wants Carla in her life, just like before, and that it’s “not a competition” between Carla and Becky. Sydney added that it was important to her too that the relationship between Betsy and Carla continues.

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She shared: “I just wanna say, it’s not a competition between Becky and Carla, especially in Betsy’s eyes. I wanted to solidify that for people watching because that is something I keep note of.

“I love the relationship with Carla and it’s two very different things. I’ve been very protective over that.” Sydney also teased more ahead for the Becky plot, but hinted fans may not expect where the storyline is going.

Hinting at a twist, she shared with us: “I think the story is really interesting, it’s juicy. I don’t think it’s going to follow the path people necessarily think it will.” When we asked for a word to describe what was ahead on the show in the coming months, she simply said: “I’m gonna go with twist.”

Denise Van Outen’s Gogglebox co-star offers apology as he addresses pair’s ‘feud’

Denise Van Outen and Johnny Vaughan famously fell out during their time hosting The Big Breakfast Show in the late 1990s. Denise, who later competed on Strictly Come Dancing, claimed their friendship took a turn due to issues with contract negotiations.

At the time, it was reported that Johnny had made a separate deal regarding his salary, which damaged the trust between them.

Reflecting on the matter, Denise commented on Loose Women in 2017: “At that particular time, we were literally like brother and sister, we were best friends, unbreakable.

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“The whole relationship fell apart when we started to renegotiate our contracts, because I always felt that we worked together as a team and that is how it should be.”

Fast forward the years and Johnny has now shared his version of events.

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In a chat with The Metro newspaper, he remarked: “She might have fallen out with me but I never fell out with her. I just love Denise, won’t hear a word against her.

“Sometimes you don’t spot things, which is me being maybe insensitive and I really apologise to her for that.”

After years of not talking, the duo briefly reunited on the Capital Radio Breakfast Show in 2008, sparking hopes of a renewed friendship.

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Unfortunately, however, things didn’t go as planned after Denise exited the show before her contract ended.

She later told the Daily Mail: “He wouldn’t let me speak, would tell me when I should and shouldn’t speak and would also constantly not mention that we were joint presenters. It was always, ‘This is Johnny Vaughan, you are listening to Capital Radio,’ and there was no mention of my name.

“I was on the other side of the desk. He had control of the desk and when I would go to speak he would fade my microphone down.”

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However, Johnny denied this was the cause and instead insisted that she found it challenging to transition from television and theatre to radio.

He added to The Mirror: “Perhaps I wasn’t as ­reassuring as you can be. We did have a bit of a fallout, but I still love her to bits.”

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Despite their past issues, the duo have since reconciled, joining forces on Celebrity Gogglebox last year and sharing the screen on Steph McGovern’s Steph’s Packed Lunch in 2023.

Reflecting on their bond, the presenter shared in his most recent interview: “We’ve done Gogglebox, I see her quite a bit, [and I] speak to her most weeks still.

“No matter how we’ve fallen out, she’s always been there for me, and I hope she feels I’ve always been there for her.”

EXCLUSIVE: Stephen Webb reveals how much money he REALLY made from Gogglebox – and takes SCATHING swipe at Channel 4 co-star

 

Stephen Webb has revealed that he was ‘extremely well paid’ during his stint on hit Channel 4 show Gogglebox.

The 54-year-old star took part in the Channel 4 show – where people across the UK react to some of the country’s trending programmes, as well as movies – from 2013 until 2023, and because sitting on the sofa and watching shows was ‘very profitable’ for him, Stephen opened up “two salons” off the back of it.

 

‘I opened up two salons off the back of it. It’s not just what you get paid, it’s all the endorsements as well. It was very profitable.’

Stephen was one of the original stars of Gogglebox, and he did the show with his former partner, Christopher Steed, from 2013 until they split in 2017.

Christopher was replaced by Stephen’s late mum, Pat Webb – who died following a long illness at the start of 2024 – from 2017 until 2018.

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Stephen Webb has revealed he was ‘extremely well paid’ during his stint on hit Channel 4 show Gogglebox

Then, Stephen’s ex-husband Daniel Lustig-Webb joined him on Gogglebox in 2019, until the former couple – who split in 2024 – decided to leave the programme in 2023.

And Stephen said earning a lot of money for just watching TV while eating a takeaway was a ‘dream’.

He said: ‘It’s the easiest job in the world.

‘We would get home from work and basically, just come in, the cameras and everything will be already rigged up. Just turn it all on. Sit down, order a takeaway, and crack on!

‘I mean, I’m never going to get paid to sit and eat pizza and watch TV at home ever again, am I? It was the dream.’

Fellow former Gogglebox star Reverend Kate Bottley and her husband Graham joined the show in 2014, but they quit in 2016 because they found the filming process ‘overwhelming’.

And Kate, 50, previously claimed on an episode of the Walking the Dog with Emily Dean podcast, that she and Graham saw ‘very little’ money that they earned doing the programme because she had to spend it on ‘electricity, internet and food’ for the crew.

Reacting to her pay claim, Stephen quipped: ‘Well, maybe if Kate had delivered a bit more drama, a bit more fun…’

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Steven hit out at former show star Kate, who previously revealed she made ‘very little’ money that they earned doing the programme because she had to spend it on the crew

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Kate said the modest fee was swallowed up by hidden costs, and their family meal times disrupted by filming

Stephen – who took part in E4’s Celebs Go Dating in 2024 – could not return to Gogglebox as the programme enforces a strict ‘celebrity rule’, which bans the participants from becoming celebrities on other TV shows while filming to maintain its everyday, authentic feel.

However, he teased that he may be up for doing Celebrity Gogglebox in the future.

Speaking of the rule, Stephen said: ‘I think the whole premise of the show is that it’s normal people.

‘And I think when you step outside of that and into the realms of celebrity, it changes it.’

Hinting at possibly doing Celebrity Gogglebox, he continued: ‘Unless they’ll have me back for the celebrity version, I think it’d be less authentic.

‘And, you know, I did it for 10 years, I absolutely loved it. And I just think, you know what, I bailed out on the 10th anniversary, someone else could have my space.’

Stephen was speaking on behalf of Centre for Sight, the UK’s leading, trusted centre of excellence for advanced eye care, innovation and life-changing results.

He was treated by Mr. Sheraz Daya for Laser Lens Replacement, also known as RLE, Refractive Lens Exchange, which starts from £3,497 per eye.

It comes after Church of England vicar Kate hit out that signing up for the show ended up damaging her family’s home life, as the modest fee was swallowed up by hidden costs, and their family meal times disrupted by filming.

Kate revealed during her podcast appearance: ‘I wish I’d known how much it took over our life for two and a half years. It’s reality TV, it’s by its nature consensual exploitation.’

The mother-of-two, who originally wanted to take part in a bid to help change how people of faith were seen on screen, also hit out that filming was ‘quite intrusive’.

Speaking of her son Arthur, who she described as on the ‘autistic spectrum’ and daughter Ruby, Kate explained how her kids would hide in their rooms twice a week while the production crew set up in the home.

She continued: ‘My kids spent two-and-a-half years sat in their bedrooms every Tuesday and Thursday night or whatever nights they came to film.

‘My kids didn’t have friends round for a lot [of the time], didn’t have help with their homework. Things like that.’

Walking away from the show, Kate had to come up with a cover story to break the contractual clauses of her time with Channel 4.

She revealed: ‘It so happened that it came around the time that Ruby was doing her GCSEs so the excuse we gave was, “We’re going to take some time away while she does her exams.” But we were just a bit overwhelmed.’